With all 8 IUA Universities ranked in the top 3% of institutions worldwide, you can be sure of a world-class educational experience in Ireland.
Our universities, with their dedicated and highly qualified staff, have a long history of educating students to the highest internationally recognised standards. From energy filled lecture theatres to the state-of-the-art laboratories, well-resourced libraries and exciting campuses the Irish university experience is something to savour. No wonder there are now currently over 35,000 international students from over 120 countries studying in Ireland availing of the extensive range of courses available.
Practical Information
A visa is an official document that allows you to travel to Ireland. It does not guarantee entry into Ireland. When you arrive, an Immigration Officer at the border will decide if you can enter the country.
If you’re coming to study in Ireland from outside the EEA or are a non-Swiss national, you may need a student visa. To determine if you require a visa, visit the Irish Immigration Services website.
Depending on the duration of your study you will either have to apply for a short stay visa or a long stay study visa before coming to Ireland. If you are staying longer than 90 days you will also have to register after arriving in Ireland.
If a visa is required, you’ll find detailed instructions on how to apply and the necessary documentation on the Irish Immigration Services website. The application process is online, and a comprehensive guide to using the portal is available here. Depending on your situation, you may also need to liaise with the Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country. For embassy details, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
Important:
- Apply for your visa well in advance.
- Allow a minimum of 8 weeks before travel.
- Refer to the Department of Justice website for the latest visa requirements and guidelines.
Entry requirements vary between universities and degree programmes. To find out the specific academic qualifications needed for your chosen course, contact the International Office of the university directly. (We’ve included a link to each university’s International Office below)
Organising your accommodation before departing for Ireland is essential. Due to high demand, we recommend starting your search as early as possible. Some universities may offer pre-booked accommodation, while in other cases, you may need to arrange it yourself.
If on-campus housing is not available or you prefer to live off-campus, we recommend consulting the Accommodation Guide provided by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). This guide offers valuable advice for renting off-campus and resources to help you find suitable housing and prevention of accommodation scams.
There is huge demand for student accommodation, and it is now more challenging than ever to find somewhere to live. It is important to be aware that every year there are reports of scams on students seeking accommodation – e.g. taking payment online for accommodation that is not for rent.
The cost of living for students in Ireland can vary based on several factors, including location, choice of accommodation, transport options, and personal lifestyle.
Check out the following ICOS guide on typical living expenses, along with practical tips to help you manage your budget and keep costs down.
For more information, view the profiles of the 8 universities or contact the university global offices directly.
Other useful links include:
Students from outside the European Union (EU) apply directly to their chosen university. Such applicants should contact the Admissions Office or International Office of the relevant university for information on the application process, as each university has their own application procedures and closing dates.
Visit the International Offices:
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
Trinity College Dublin
TU Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Galway
University of Limerick
Scholarships for International Students
Scholarships Open to all Non-EEA Students
Student excellence and achievement are recognised in our member universities through a wide variety of scholarships including those listed below.
Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
The GOI-IES Programme offers scholarships to high calibre students from non-EU/EEA countries to come and study in Ireland for a period of up to one year. Applications are welcome from students of all nationalities and fields of study (with the sole exception of medical students). Under the initiative 60 scholarships will be provided for one year study at Masters or PhD levels to successful candidates who have an offer of a place at an eligible Irish higher education institution.
Students who are successful will receive:
- A €10,000 stipend for one year’s study
- A full fee waiver of all tuition and other registration costs at the higher education institution
For further information on eligibility, terms and conditions, and how to apply, please check out the official page on the HEA’s website. Applications can be submitted via the online portal here. All queries should be directed to: goi-ies@hea.ie
Nationality-Based Scholarships
The IUA has partnered with a number Government Funded Scholarship schemes from around the world with the aim of strengthening Inter-Governmental Bilateral Relationships.
Chile
ANID-IUA Scholarship Programme: This joint programme between the IUA and the Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo provides a full fee waiver and a scholarship to Chilean students who have an offer to study a PhD in an IUA member university. Full details on the scholarships, the participating universities and information on how to find a supervisor are available on the linked page.
China
China Scholarship Council (CSC): CSC provides both funding for Chinese citizens and residents to study abroad, and for foreign students and scholars to study in China. The agency predominantly provides scholarships to individuals, including in batches allocated to specific foreign universities. Full details on the scholarship and participating universities is available here. Note CSC is an institutional level agreement and not a government-led initiative.
Beijing
The Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) Scholarship is a scholarship funded by China Scholarship Council that offers opportunities for international students from all over the world to study in Beijing.
Scholarship Commemorating Historical Events
Marking a shared legacy of solidarity and cultural ties – note this is a institutional agreement between the Choctaw Nation and University College Cork (UCC)
Click here to learn about the Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition at University College Cork and €10,000 in living expenses.
International Scholarships
Irish Aid Fellowship Programme
Funded by the Irish Government, this prestigious Ireland Fellows programme offers fully funded fellowships to students from developing countries, enabling them to pursue full-time Master’s degrees at leading Irish higher education institutions. The programme focuses on courses aligned with Irish Aid’s development priorities, equipping future leaders with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change in their home countries.
George Mitchell Scholarship Programme
The George Mitchell Scholarship Programme is a prestigious postgraduate scholarship that offers up to twelve Mitchell Scholars—aged 18 to 30—the opportunity to undertake one year of postgraduate study in any discipline at leading institutions across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Washington Ireland Programme – Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leaders Program is open to full-time students currently enrolled in a higher education course who consider Northern Ireland or Ireland to be home.
The College of Europe accepts students who wish to study at postgraduate level at its Bruges (Belgium), Natolin (Poland) or Tirana (Albania) campuses. Places at the College are open to Irish students studying politics, law, economics, European studies, etc., and offer an excellent opportunity for graduates to develop their knowledge and skills in a truly international environment.
Hear From Students:
To find out more about individual universities, read their profiles. To listen to one of our students talking about their experiences at an Irish university visit our International YouTube channel.
IUA’s Head of International Affairs is Jennifer Cleary.